More charges land man back in jail

After being free on bail for three days, a Chambersburg man accused of attacking, raping, restraining and threatening a woman at her Chambersburg home is back in jail on additional charges.

Juan Pablo Riojas, 39, is to be heard in Franklin County Court today on new charges of burglary and aggravated assault. He was originally charged with rape, false imprisonment, terroristic threats and simple assault.

When the woman initially spoke with police Oct. 10, she said Riojas would not let her leave her home and assaulted her over several days that month. Riojas reportedly hit her on her face and back while her child was watching, raped her and threatened to kill her.

In the later interview, the woman told Kelso that Riojas also forced his way into the house Oct. 4 by violently pushing on the door.

"She also described in detail how Riojas assaulted her to the point where she lost consciousness," the detective stated in charging documents.

He reportedly started attacking her shortly after breaking into her home. The woman told Kelso that she couldn't breathe and ultimately lost consciousness.

"She could feel him slapping her cheeks and telling her to wake up," the detective said. "She also recalled Riojas 'using a cotton ball with alcohol' attempting to revive her.

Advertisement

"

Three days after the interview, Kelso went to the woman's home and checked the scene for evidence of the new allegations. The detective said she noted damage to the inside door frame that indicated it was forced open from the outside of the home.

Riojas was committed to Franklin County Jail Oct. 10 and released Nov. 16 on $200,000 bail. As a result of new charges, he was returned to jail three days later. He was unable to post bail, which is now set at $500,000.

Riojas was found guilty of 10 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of harassment in 2011, according to online court records.

------

Beth Anne Heesen can be reached at 262-4754 or baheesen@publicopinionnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @baheesenPO.